VANDALISM and graffiti on the North Wales rail network has jumped in the last four years it was revealed yesterday.

New figures show the number of incidents in which police recorded damage to trains, stations, tracks and depots increased from 65 in 2002/03 to 77 in 2005/06. There were 112 vandalism attacks in 2003/04 and 90 in 2004/05.

Yobs last year committed 44 acts of vandalism at stations and 32 on railway tracks. The figures were released in a written answer from the government to the Conservatives.

Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling said: "These are very worrying figures. Vandalism disrupts train services, and at worst can even lead to derailments. The government really must get to grips with the problem.

"We've had promise after promise of action against anti-social behaviour of this kind over the years, but in the end nothing actually seems to happen and the number of incidents seems to rise and rise."

Rail minister Derek Twigg said a graffiti crackdown launched by British Transport Police in 2003 had doubled the number of spray-paint vandals detected and led to a string of convictions but had also resulted in a 75% rise in offences reported.

Reports have also been driven up by the Home Office's Name That Tag campaign, offering a #500 reward to name prolific taggers (authors of the graffiti who leave their initials or mark as a "tag".)

Vandalism incidents in South Wales increased marginally from 102 in 2002/03 to 103 in 2005/06 and from 22 to 23 over the same period in Gwent.

Incidents fell in Dyfed-Powys from 49 to 20. It was revealed last year that only two of Wales' 235 train stations were classed as "secure".

Train operators were encouraged by the Department for Transport and British Transport Police to apply for approval. But only Cardiff Central and Aberystwyth stations won certificates under the scheme, launched in 1998.

The Daily Post has long campaigned for more security at North Wales stations. The Safe Stations campaign was launched after a sickening attack on dad-of-four Gareth Jones at Prestatyn in October 2003.

Research by Crime Concern suggested measures such as staff, good lighting and CCTV surveillance would result in 15% more journeys by train.

Local stations to be 'adopted' by local people

THREE Conwy Valley railway stations are to be looked after by local people.

Pont y Pant, Dolwyddelan and Dolgarrog stations, on the picturesque line from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llandudno Junction, are being officially adopted under the Arriva Trains Wales' Adopt--a-Station scheme.

The scheme aims to involve communities in caring for and taking pride in their local railway station.

Retired couple Michael and Betty Hall are adopting Pont-y-Pant station to help keep it in the best possible condition for passengers. The couple live in the old station house at Pont-y-Pant, which is less than five metres from the railway track, from where they can see trains and customers arriving on the platform.

Michael said: "As the station is literally on our doorstep, it's important to us that it is well-maintained and well-cared for. My wife and I have been keeping an eye on the station for a couple of years, and have planted tubs of flowers to improve its appearance."

Station adopters carry out regular spot-checks relating to the tidiness and cleanliness of the station.

In return, adopters are offered rail travel vouchers.

. For more information about the scheme, call Arriva Trains Wales on 0845 6061 660.